Portstewart driver didn’t realise he had hit other car

A A 62-year-old man from Portstewart who came out of a shop and reversed his vehicle into a car and failed to report the accident has been fined.

John Faulkner, a retired sales and marketing worker of Lever Road, appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and failing to report the accident at Coleraine Road, Portstewart, on May 13 last year.

A woman in the car which was struck saw Faulkner’s vehicle reversing towards her but despite sounding the horn a collision occurred.

The defendant later told police he had not heard the horn and didn’t believe a collision had taken place.

A defence lawyer said Faulkner now accepted there was a “minor bump” and when he offered his details at the scene he believed he had discharged his duty.

The defendant was given ten penalty points and fined £400.

* A Dunloy man has been bound over to keep the peace for two years and warned by a judge not to use abusive language in public.

Martin Ryan Brogan (34), of Glenbuck Road pleaded guilty to being disorderly at Portstewart promenade on December 20 last year.

A CCTV operator saw the defendant acting aggressively at the Anchor Bar and police asked him to leave the area on a number of occasions but he shouted abuse at door staff and at police telling them to “f--k off”. A solicitor said her client had been out for a few drinks with friends before Christmas apologised for his behaviour.